Portable knock-down display assembly



May 17, 1960 Filed Aug. 1, 1956 G. C. KRUSE PORTABLE KNOCK-DOWN DISPLAY ASSEMBLY FIG.

FIG. 2

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR George C. Kruse May 17, 1960 2,937,062

G. C. KRUSE PORTABLE KNOCK-DOWN DISPLAY ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1956 FIG. 3 figlt FIG. 7

W FIG. 5 lo I2 I ll 1 ill |a FIG. 8 a v L- FIG. 9 f

George C. Kruse May 17, 1960 G. c. KRU SE 2,

PORTABLE KNOCK-DOWN DISPLAY ASSEMBLY Filed. Aug. 1, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR George C. Kruse PORTABLE KN OCK-DOWN DISPLAY ASSEMBLY' George C. Kruse, Carlstadt, NJ.

Application August 1, 1956, Serial No. 601,420

Claims. (Cl. 311-35 V The present invention relates to portable structures and more particularly to a novel and improved portable knockdown structure which may be utilized as a table or display assembly, for example.

Although the apparatus of the present invention has other uses, it is primarily intended for use as a display table, stand or related structure. To this end the invention provides a novel and improved structure which may be compactly stored and carried about in a small portable case, and quickly and easily assembled at a selected site.

One of the specific features of the invention resides in the provision of a portable knock-down display structure comprising a plurality of like structural elements of novel design, which maybe quickly and easily assembled in a variety of ways to form a table, display stand or related structure. comprises a plurality of I-shaped tubular structural elements having transversely disposed tubular connectors at each end. In combination with the I-shaped elements are L-shaped structural elements adapted to'bereceived in and secured by the tubular connectors. The arrangement is such that a variety of structures may be formed by properly assembling the difierenttypes of elements.

Another novel and advantageous feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved portable knock-down structure, including a compact, lightweight carrying case adapted to function in one capacity as a carrier for the various structural elements and in another capacity as a table top or other element of an erected structure. More specifically, the carrying case comprises two half sections, hinged together and adapted when fully open to form a table top or other flat surface. The separate hinged parts of the case are provided with semicircular recesses which, when the case is fully open, form cylindrical openings for the reception of tubular structural condition;

the carrying case in a closed Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a display table constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the structural elements incorporated in the new structure, illustrating the manner in which castors may be assembled therewith;

Figs. 5-9 are plan views of various structural elements used in the new structure;

Fig. is a perspective view of a novel guard rail formed with the new structural apparatus; I i

In this respect, the new structure States Patent g Patented May 17, 1960 ner in which a pair of tables of the type shown in Fig. 3 7

maybe assembled together.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral 10 (Fig. 5) designates an I-shaped structural element forming an important component of the new structure. The I-shaped element 10 comprises an elongated section 11 of lightweight tubular material, such as magnesium, aluminum alloy, or the like. At each end of the tubular section 11 is a short tubular connector 12. The connectors 12 are rigidly secured to the principal tubular sections 11, in transversely disposed relation thereto. In the preferred form of the invention, both ends of the elongated tubular section 11 are open, and in one end is inserted the shank 13 of a swivel castor 14 (Fig. 4). Advantageously, the castors 14 are readily removable from the tubular section 11, substantially in the manner indicated in Fig. 4. 4

It is presently contemplated that the structure of the invention will be arranged in kit form, in which event each kit will include four I-shaped structural elements 10, of the type shown in Fig. 5. Each such structural element will be provided with a castor 14.

A second basic component of the new structure is illustrated in Fig. 6. The second component is an L- shaped element 15, formed of lightweight tubular material. Advantageously, the L-shaped elements-15 have long and short leg portions 16, 17, respectively. The diameter of the tubular material used in forming the L- shaped elements 15 is approximately equal to the inside diameter of the tubular stock used in forming the short tubular connectors 12 of the I-shaped elements 10.

In accordance with the invention, the ends of the L- shaped members 15 are adapted to be telescopically received in the short tubular connectors 12. Preferably, the respective components are so arranged that upon telescopic assembly thereof the parts will be frictionally engaged. Alternatively, suitable fastening devices such as clamps or screws may be provided for locking the various components in assembled relation. The standard kit will include eight of the L-shaped elements 15.-

V The above-described structural components 10, 15 form the heart of my new apparatus. However, for certain preferred assemblies, additional components are desired. Thus, in Fig. 7 there is shown an L-shaped auxiliary component 18, having long and short leg portions 19, 20, respectively. The auxiliary L-shaped element 18 has an outside diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of the tubular section 11 of the I-shaped component 10, and is adapted for telescopic reception therein. In

.the contemplated structural kit, two such auxiliary L shaped elements 18 will be provided.

In Fig. 8, there is shown an auxiliary straight tubular section 21.- This element is of the same size as the tubular section 11 of the I-shaped elements 10, and is adapted for telescopic interconnection with the auxiliary L-shaped elements 18. In the contemplated kit, one auxiliary tubular element21 will be provided. 7

In Fig. 9 is shown an auxiliary extension element 22 comprising an elongated tubular portion 23 and a short nector 24 is of the same size as the tubular section 11, and 'is adapted to telescopically receive an end of the auxiliary f L-shaped member 18. Two of the extension elements will be provided in the standard kit. Y Y

Referring now'to Figs. 1 'and 2, the numeral 25 designates a carrying case forming part of the standard structural kit and comprising two similar half sections 26, 27 connected together along one edge by means of hinges 28. Thecarryingcase may be formed of. a suitable lightweight wood, or *a '-Iight metal, such as magnesium or aluminum, for example.

Asshownin'Fig. 1,the top-section '27-of thecase comprises a relatively large wall 29 surrounded by marginal wa'lls 3033. 'The marginal walls-are relatively low, and preferablyofa height slightly less than the thickness of one of the -I-shaped structural elements 10. The main wall 34-and marginal walls '35--.38-of the other half section 2613f the case have substantially the'same-dimension's as the first half section, so that the sections "26, 27 *are substantially symmetrical, 'at least exteriorly.

On the outer *marginal edge walls 30, 35 are suitable latches '39, '40, which maybe ofconventional design and are adapted-to secure the "hinged half sections 26, 27 together 'to close the case. -In :addition,-one of the sections, i;e., section26 in-theillustrated-apparatus, has a carrying handle 41 of conventional form.

In the illustrated forrnto'f the invention, the case half 27 has a dividing wall 42, located substantially centrally betweenitsends. The dividing-wall '42 has an elongated upwardly facingreces-s 43 in itsupper surface and asmall recess *44 at'its'inner end. 'Thesmall recess =44-is-o'f su'flic'ientsize to receive -the'endiportions of a pair of auxiliary L-shaped elements 18. The auxiliary elements are arranged in fiat relation to the main wall 29, with their long leg port'ions19 extending through the recess 44 in overlapped relation. The short legs 20 of-the auxiliary L-shaped elements 18 are pointed outwardly from the inner marginal wall 32and lie. against the marginal end walls 31,33.

To retain the auxiliary L-shaped elements 18in-place in'thecasesection 27,*blocks 45 are "mounted in the-case section, inspaced relation to the marginal end-walls 3-1, "33. Theblocks 45 confine the short ends'20 of the auxiliary elements and mount retractible retaining pins 46. The pins 46 are adapted when in the position shown in Fig. l, to lock-the auxiliary element 18 in place, so that thecase section 27 "may be conveniently closed over the top of the opposite section 26. The elements 18 maybe readily removed, 'however,by'retracting the pins 16.

In the lower case section 26, there is a dividing wall 47 having anupwardly opening recess 48-complementary to't'he recess 43 ofrthe dividing'wall 42. Received in' the recess 48 are four I-shaped structural elements =10, two auxiliary extension elements 22 and a straight tubular auxiliary-element 21. -As will-be observed in'Fig. L'the elements 10, '21, .22 are disposed longitudinally of the carrying case 25, and the I-shaped elements .10 are arranged =in staggered relation so that the transversely disposed connectors 12 thereof do not interfere. Advan- "tageously, the dimensions of'the recesses'48, 43 are such 'that the'above-named elements areclosely received therein, the arrangement being such that when'the case "is closed and'locked the various named elements are held in ,placeby the dividing walls 42, 47.

Also received in the'casing'sect'ion 26 are eight -L-shaped structural elements '15, arranged in nested .pairs, with their longer leg portions 16 disposed along the inner marginal wall 37. The primary L-shapedelements'IS-are hfildln'Ill-8C6 bY'lTlfifillSLOfiblOGkS 49, adjacent thernarginal *en'rlwalis '36,--88, and by rotatable tongues :50 adapted v to dwmoved into =overlying relation to the rlegzportions I16 *of t'he elements. 7

I H: apparatuses shown in :Fig. ;-1 constitutes a complete 131m, iwhichumayihe vused in :forming :a :display table, for example, .of ftheitypesshowninlEig. :3. I0 =,thiS end, the Ieshaped structural ;elements :10, "with or without rthe scastors :14, are arranged :in .vertical relation .and emalloyed .as :legs. The primary tL-shaped elements .15 .are

telescopically applied :to the transverse connectors 12,

with the elements 15 being disposed in horizontal planes. The I-shaped elements or legs 10 are thus held in vertically disposed and spaced relation by a series of L-shaped elements connecting the tops and bottoms of the I-shaped elements. The L-shaped elements are retained in engagement with the connectors 12 by friction or by suitable clamps. In either case, the tubular framework formed is rigid and sturdy.

To form a top for the display table of Fig. 3, the carrying case "25 ds opened flat "and placed in inverted relation on the upper rtier of.L-.shape.d .elementslS.

For display purposes, it is sometimes desirable to provide the table "with adisplay boardtlframe. To this end, the auxiliary L-shaped elements may be assembled with the I-shaped elements 1'0 at 'the ends of the table. In the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3, the longer leg portions of the auxiliary elements 18 are inserted in the upper ends of the end legs 10 of the table. The shorter leg portions :ofsth'e'auxiliary element 518 are directed toward ,each other and .are connected by the straight tubular auxiliary member v21. If a display board frame of greater :height ,is desired, the extension elements ZZ-may he;assembledwith the auxiliary L-rshaped elements 18, the :small diameter ends :of the extension elements being received ;in the upper ends of the end legs .10:of the table.

in accordance with the invention, the inner marginal walls 32, 3.7 rof :the carrying .case are provided withopposed pairs of vsemiecircular recesses 51, :5-2 which, when the case parts are opened fiat, form cylindrical openings, substantially :as :shown in Fig. 1. Whenthe open case is employed as a table top, in the manner indicated in Fig. '3, the cylindrical openings :are aligned with "the end :legs 10, .so that the auxiliary L-shaped element 18 or extension elements 20 may be received inztheopenings for assembly with the ,I+shaped leg elements 110.

Jfthe display table is :to -be placed against a wall, for example, it may :be desirable to assembleonly .a half-table structure, utilizing-only end legs and a front leg. The fbackside ofthe structure isgplaced against a wall; and the hinged :case parts 26, 27 are disconnected, ,soxthat one part may be laid flat on the half-table structure, while the other part is disposed .vertically against the --wall to form adisplay back-board.

In Fig. 10, the new structural apparatus is arranged in the form of aa novel guardrail. In .this'form of the invention, a plurality-of lvshaped elements-are arranged .in vertically disposed relation, forming spaced legs. .Adjacentpa-irsof :legsldare connected by ;pairs of Lrshaped elements 15 telescopically received and .frictionally or otherwise retained "in the transversely disposed connectors 12.. Alternate pairs of the ..Lshaped elements .15 .are arranged in opposed relation, .50 that in the assembled guard rail the vertical l-shaped leg members .10 are aligned, while :the rails vformed .by the .L-shaped elements are in saw tooth form. The saw-tooth arrangement of the lower .rail .is advantageous in that it renders the-.en- 'tire guard rail structure stable and self-supporting.

In Fig. ll, a plurality of I-shaped elements 10 and L- shaped elements 15 are assembled to form'a step "display Stand. In this formof the invention, the I-shaped elements are arranged in horizontally disposed relation, with adjacent l-shaped elements 10 "being connected "by pairs of L-shaped elements 15. The illustrated display'stand is formed of two symmetrical-sections, and-*in-each section alternate pairs of the L-shaped elements 15 are arranged in opposed irelation, much in thesame rnanner' aslin-the guard rail structureof Fi-g. 10. The two symmetrical sections are connected ::together an the :center by means of an .I-shaped element :10, .in .the manner illustrated Fi :11.

it the opposite ends of the display standare horizontally disposed .Ishaped members 10, .the connector elements 12 of which project downwardly and .act as legs .to support the structure.

In Fig. 12, a .pair of display tables of the type generally shown in Fig. 3 are connected together in tandem.

To this end, the auxiliary elements 18, 21 are assembled with corresponding vertical I-shaped leg elements of each table. If desired, skirts 53 (not part of the regular kit) may be attached to the table tops to conceal the frame structure.

Of course, the new structural apparatus may be arranged in a multitude of ways, of which the foregoing are merely exemplary. One of the outstanding advantages of the new apparatus is its wide versatility. The basic components may be quickly and easily assembled and taken apart without tools or special skills, and the assembled structures are rigid and durable. When the apparatus is arranged in kit form, it is ideally suited for short term sales displays, for example, since the entire kit is lightweight and compact, and may be easily carried about from place to place and quickly assembled at a display site.

An important aspect of the invention resides in the use of the I-shaped tubular structural elements in combination with the L-shaped elements 15. These components may be assembled in a variety of ways by simply telescopically applying the L-shaped elements into the transversetubular connectors 12 of the I-shaped elements.

It should be understood that the specific apparatus herein shown and described is intended to be illustrative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the invention. Reference Y should therefore be made to the. following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention. I

I claim:

1. A portable knock-down table assembly comprising a plurality of leg members disposed in vertical relation, each of said leg members having a tubular cross bar connector rigidly secured thereto in external engagement, one adjacent the upper and one adjacent the lower end thereof and extending in horizontal relation, said cross bar connectors extending a short distance on each side of said leg members, and a plurality of L-shaped structural members adapted to be telescopically received at one end in a cross bar connector of one leg member and at the other end in a corresponding cross bar connector of another leg member, each of said leg members being connected at its upper and lower end portions by said L-shaped members to an adjacent pair of leg members, and a table top member, said upper L-shaped members constituting the support for the table top member.

2. The portable knockdown table of claim 1, in which said table top member comprises a hinged carrying case for said leg and L-shaped members consisting ofttwo parts hinged together along a common edge, said carrying case having a length not less that that of the said support and a width when hinged open not less than that of the said support.

3. The portable knock-down table of claim 2, further including structural elements adapted to be telescopically engaged with certain leg members at the opposite ends of said table, and further characterized by said carrying case having two hinged parts of substantiallyequal size, each of said hinged parts having spaced recesses therein on its hinged edge, said recesses being arranged in opposed pairs and being adapted when said case is hinged open to form openings for receiving said structural elements. a

4. A portable knock-down display structure comprising a plurality of I-shaped and substantially rigid elongated tubular elements of substantially'equal size, each of said l-shaped tubular elements having a relatively short tubular cross-bar adjacent each end but not at said end, said cross-bars being in non-planar arrangement with said tubular element and externally connected thereto'and imparting said I-shape, and a plurality of one-piece L- shaped tubular elements of uniform lateral dimension directly and telescopically connected at their opposite ends to the cross-bars of said I-shaped tubular elements.

5. The portable knock-down display structure of claim ,4 further characterized by said elongated tubular elements being disposed in vertical relation to form legs, and said L-shaped tubular elements being disposed in horizontal planes. 7 Y

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

